Elgin, IL

Elgin Illinois - Best Old House Neighborhood in 2009

I'm proud to announce that Elgin came in as a winner in the Midwest with Old House Magazine.


Maintaining Elgin's Character thru Historical Districts

One of the methods that was determined to be effective in controlling this wearing away of downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods was to enable the City to identify and protect architecturally significant properties and neighborhoods through the creation of a local landmark ordinance which enabled individual structures to be designated as landmarks, and groups of structures to be designated as historic districts.

Some of the city's most handsome Queen Anne, Tudor, and Gothic Revival homes are found in the various historic neighborhoods. The City of Elgin has also been offering grants (Architectural Rehabilitaiton Grants) to help buyers/owners restore single family homes that were broken up into multifamily units. The Elgin Historic District contains an excellent collection of late 19th and early 20th century residential architecture.

Spring-Douglas, a National Historic District, where a 2,000-square-foot Queen Anne can be had for $150,000 to $500,000 depending on its condition.

Historic Preservation in Elgin has been making advances for over twenty-five years. Efforts were begun in the early 1980s as a grassroots movement by residents of an eastside neighborhood known as the Gifford Park Neighborhood. It was generally recognized that the effects of urban renewal of the 1960s had caused the erosion of downtown Elgin which was slowly making its way into the neighborhoods that surrounded it.

Historic Preservation Brochure (May 2009 was Preservation Month in Elgin)

Historical District Map (4 total districts in Elgin)


The significance of these areas was recognized in 1983 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the dwellings within the District have been well maintained and there is renewed interest in preserving the District's architectural character.

City of Elgin at a glance

Historic Homes and Old Houses for Sale (Illinois and Nationally)

Elgin - Love old homes and architecture? This is the place for you!

Elgin - Historic House Tour

Did we mention shopping? For everything really close by?

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324 at RE/MAX Suburban


The 'Blog Dog' knows Elgin!




This darn dog and I proudly sell real estate in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in the communities of Bartlett, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Roselle, Palatine, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Annual Elgin Historic House Tour

The Gifford Park Association in Elgin, Illinois will be hosting its 28th Annual Historic Elgin House Tour on Saturday September 12, 2009. The Gifford Park Association (GPA) is a non-profit neighborhood organization committed to Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Revitalization.

THERE IS ONLY ONE SCHEDULED DAY THIS YEAR!

Each year, the House Tour features a different historic neighborhood of Elgin. This year is unique in that the Tour includes homes from three (3) adjacent historic neighborhoods. Eight (8) homes will be open for the Tour, four (4) of which are in Elgin's oldest residential neighborhood. Designated as a local Historic District in 1981 and registered on The National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1983, this is the home of the Gifford Park Association. Three (3) homes are within the Lords Park neighborhood and one home is within the Summit-Park & Settlement Neighborhood.

The Annual Historic Elgin House Tour is an educational event that offers something for everyone. There's architecture, history, home remodeling, interior decorating, gardening and more. The interior tours of the homes are guided and interpreted. The houses may be toured in any order. Wear comfortable shoes & allow yourself the full day to see all of the homes.

Tickets are available at advance locations, by mail and online at a reduced rate. Tickets are also available at registration the day of the Tour. Advance tickets are $15, day of Tour are $20. Under 12 years and over 65 are $10 the day of the Tour. For additional information contact Fran Cella at 847-695-4022 or via email.

COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

Elgin Illinois - Love old homes and architecture? This is the place for you!

Incorporated in 1854, Elgin Illinois is a city with a fascinating past, an engaging present and an exciting future. Home to nearly 106,000 residents, Elgin is a warm and friendly community that embraces newcomers and long-time residents alike.

Boundary Map

Elgin History

Historic Preservation in Elgin has been making advances for over twenty-five years. Efforts were begun in the early 1980s as a grassroots movement by residents of an east side neighborhood known as the Gifford Park Neighborhood. It was generally recognized that the effects of urban renewal of the 1960s had caused the erosion of downtown Elgin which was slowly making its way into the neighborhoods that surrounded it.

One of the methods that was determined to be effective in controlling this wearing away of downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods was to enable the City to identify and protect architecturally significant properties and neighborhoods through the creation of a local landmark ordinance which enabled individual structures to be designated as landmarks, and groups of structures to be designated as historic districts.

Historic Preservation is handled through the Planning and Neighborhood Services Department:

150 Dexter Ct. Elgin, IL 60120 Ph: (847) 931-5910 Historic Preservation Hours 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

If you are interested in local historic architecture then you may want to visit the 'There Used To Be' website. This website gives information about the book titled, "There Used To Be, A Look Back at Elgin’s Architectural Heritage" by author Steven Stroud.

Local Historic Architecture

Elgin residences in 1902 (Pictorial)

1920 Street of Elgin Pictorial 3 sections - Shows homes by streets in alphabetical order

Elgin Historical District (4)

Gifford Park Historical

Yearly Elgin House Tour

2009 Elgin House Tour

Looking for a charming older home? Call Lyn Sims today to begin your search into the past!

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324
at RE/MAX Suburban

I proudly serve and sell real estate in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in the communities of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Palatine, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Elgin Illinois - Love old homes and architecture? ©2009 Lyn Sims - RealEstateConsumerInfo.com and RealEstateBuyMe.com

Market Update by Price Range - April, May, June 2009

Diligently trying to keep both buyers and sellers informed on the local Elgin Illinois housing market has been my goal for many years. This market update gives you the number of homes that have sold by price range so you get a feel for the current sales activity. Which is up by the way!

60% over the last quarter!

Is it the $8000 Tax Credit? Is it the lower interest rates? Or maybe just great values in the area?

How can you use this information if you are a buyer? The price range that you are thinking of purchasing in, is it one of the more active price areas of the Elgin market? It would be telling you that there are a lot of other buyers also in your price range all looking for that 'deal!'

How can this information help you if you are a seller? If you are planning on selling your home in Elgin soon, you can see which price ranges are the most active. Clearly the price range above $250,000 has been non-existent and rarely sales have occurred. You might have to plan accordingly for extra market time. As a seller, you have to be sure that your home's curb appeal and presentation is ‘spot on’ in a market like this. Possibly some extra updates and staging might be required before you put your home on the market. Do you know what the average market time is for your price range?

For the Elgin Home Sales from April to June 30th, 2009 you can clearly see that over 58% of the closed sales have been under the $200,000 price range. The lowest sales price was $25,000 and the highest was $750,000. Wow!

What about the foreclosures Lyn? Of those 181 total sales, 59 were foreclosures and 23 were short sales. Most of those foreclosures were under the $100,000 price. Probably a lot less than what you expected right?

Looking for a market expert to help you sell your home in the area?

Looking for a great home in the area?

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324
at RE/MAX Suburban

The Blog Dog and I proudly serve and sell real estate in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in the communities of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Palatine, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. Lyn Sims makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from it’s display or use.

Resources: MRED MLS of Northern IL, my little calculator and golf pencil.

Elgin Illinois Market Update by Price Range ©2009 Lyn Sims - TheBlogDog.net

Market Update by Price Range - April, May, June 2009

Diligently trying to keep both buyers and sellers informed on the local Elgin Illinois housing market has been my goal for many years. This market update gives you the number of homes that have sold by price range so you get a feel for the current sales activity. Which is up by the way!

75% over the last quarter!

Is it the $8000 Tax Credit? Is it the lower interest rates? Or maybe just great values in the area?

How can you use this information if you are a buyer? The price range that you are thinking of purchasing in, is it one of the more active price areas of the Elgin market? It would be telling you that there are a lot of other buyers also in your price range all looking for that 'deal!'

How can this information help you if you are a seller? If you are planning on selling your home in Elgin soon, you can see which price ranges are the most active. Clearly the price range above $250,000 has been non-existent and rarely sales have occurred. You might have to plan accordingly for extra market time. As a seller, you have to be sure that your home's curb appeal and presentation is ‘spot on’ in a market like this. Possibly some extra updates and staging might be required before you put your home on the market. Do you know what the average market time is for your price range?

For the Elgin Multi-Family Home Sales from April to June 30th, 2009 you can clearly see that over 68% of the closed sales have been under the $250,000 price range. The lowest sales price was $16,250 and the highest was $252,500.

What about foreclosures Lyn? Of those 44 total sales, 15 were foreclosures and 3 were short sales. Most of those foreclosures were under the $100,000 price. Probably a lot less than what you expected right?

Looking for a market expert to help you sell your home in the area?

Looking for a great home in the area?

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324
at RE/MAX Suburban

The Blog Dog and I proudly serve and sell real estate in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in the communities of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Palatine, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Resources: MRED MLS of Northern IL, my little calculator and golf pencil.

Elgin Illinois Multi-Family Market Update by Price Range ©2009 Lyn Sims - TheBlogDog.net